by POPSUGAR Fitness 1

Many runners suffer from repetitive stress injuries, because they run the same way all the time. You can help prevent pain by varying your steps throughout your run. Here are some ways to change up your feet while running:

• Shorten your stride and take baby steps.
• Lengthen your stride and take giant steps.
• Lift your knees high up to your chest with each step.
• Run in a zigzag.
• Skip.
• Run sideways, alternating which side leads.
• Run backwards, but periodically look over your shoulder to see where you're going.

The next time you head out for a run, do an interval workout by including at least three of these different types of steps.